Uche Sparks Dominant Crystal Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden continental adventure, Crystal Palace are adapting very quickly. Missing star figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding win that all but secures them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their next match against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to secure straight entry to the last 16, especially after a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This match offered a chance for several Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second consecutive match.
The Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season were outmatched even for a mostly rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems.
Control Asserted from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the referee waved away the appeals.
The formerArsenal striker didn't need to wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
The home side were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Contest
The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still room for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the visiting side.
